25th June 2025, Kathmandu
The United States House of Representatives has officially banned the use of the popular messaging application WhatsApp on all government-issued devices.
US House Bans WhatsApp
This significant move, announced via a memo to House staff, stems from escalating concerns regarding the app’s data encryption and overall security practices.
The prohibition applies comprehensively to all official smartphones, laptops, desktop computers, and any web browsers accessed on those devices. While staff can still use WhatsApp on their devices, existing policies already restrict the use of personal devices in secure areas, including classified briefings and facilities, to maintain stringent security protocols.
Cybersecurity Concerns Underpin Ban
The Office of Cybersecurity within the House views WhatsApp as a “high-risk” application. Their assessment highlights a critical “lack of transparency in how it protects user data,” alongside an “absence of stored data encryption,” and broader “potential security risks involved with its use.”
This decision aligns with the House’s ongoing efforts to limit the use of technology platforms identified as posing cybersecurity threats. Previous restrictions have targeted apps like ByteDance’s TikTok and AI tools such as ChatGPT, which is permitted only in a highly restricted version.
An internal email, reportedly leaked from Catherine Szpindor, the House’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), had previously categorized WhatsApp as a “high-risk” communication platform. Szpindor affirmed the House’s commitment, stating, “Protecting the People’s House is our top priority.
We continuously monitor for cybersecurity threats that could compromise the data of House members and staff.”
The timing of this ban also coincides with renewed scrutiny of WhatsApp following its recent announcement to introduce ads and promoted content within its “Updates” tab.
This change involves collecting user data, including location, language, and interaction patterns, to serve targeted advertisements, further fueling privacy concerns among users and now, government bodies.
Recommended Alternatives for House Staff
In light of the ban, the Chief Administrative Officer has recommended several more secure messaging platforms for House staff to utilize:
Microsoft Teams
Amazon Wickr
Signal
Apple iMessage
Apple FaceTime
The CAO noted that the list of approved applications is subject to regular review and updates based on ongoing security evaluations.
Meta’s Rebuttal and Signal’s Controversies
Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has vehemently disagreed with the CAO’s assessment. A spokesperson asserted, “Messages on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted by default… This is a higher level of security than most of the apps on the CAO’s approved list that do not offer that protection.”
Ironically, despite being on the House’s list of recommended alternatives, Signal has faced its share of recent controversies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly used Signal to discuss sensitive details concerning planned military actions in Yemen within private group chats.
One such group, created by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, inadvertently included The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. Another group, organized by Hegseth, included his wife, brother, and about a dozen other individuals, raising significant operational security concerns.
Furthermore, the Pentagon had previously issued warnings against using Signal due to a vulnerability that Russian hacking groups could exploit.
An “OPSEC special bulletin” from March 18, 2025, indicated these flaws could allow surveillance of encrypted communications. While the Pentagon permits third-party apps like Signal for unclassified information, it explicitly restricts their use for transmitting “non-public” unclassified data, underscoring the complexities of securing digital communications within government operations.
For more: US House Bans WhatsApp